Québec-Japan collaboration in the aeronautics sector

Claude-Yves Charron, Québec Delegate General in Tokyo; Philippe Bocher, Professor at ETS; Gary Goodyear, Canadian Minister of State for Science and Technology; Fusahito Yoshida, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Hiroshima University; and Kanji Fujiki, Japanese Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The École de technologie supérieure (ETS) – a public engineering institution affiliated with the Université du Québec network – signed a partnership agreement with Hiroshima University in the presence of the Québec Delegate General in Tokyo, Claude-Yves Charron. The agreement will facilitate the development of more effective aircraft construction techniques.

The signing took place during the Canada-Japan Forum, which focused on three technology clusters:

aeronautics

information technology

biotechnology

Québec was represented at this major event by a dozen representatives from universities, research institutes and Québec companies whose participation was supported by the Québec Government Office in Tokyo, among others.

According to ETS Professor Philippe Bocher, the agreement with Hiroshima University will maximize the strengths of both institutions. ETS excels in new product modeling and works closely with the private sector while Hiroshima University specializes in applied research and is equipped with test stands for performing stress tests on new products. As a result of this partnership, ETS students will be able to carry out internships at Hiroshima University.

Enthusiasm for the Québec model

At the end of the forum, the Japanese showed interest in certain collaboration models in Québec’s research and development sector. This is especially the case regarding the role of the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ). The Québec approach advocates a flexible formula that allows for conducting joint research projects among universities and research institutes, industry and government.

One of the mandates of the Québec Government Office in Tokyo is to support the development of alliances as well as science and technology transfers in Japan on behalf of Québec companies and research institutions (universities and centres).